The Cost Of Homelessness

Take a ''typical'' family that moves here from out of state. Here's what it can cost just to get the essentials under way:

Electricity:$156.00

Telephone service:146.25

Basic telephone (purchase):30.00

Water:75.00

Garbage pickup:37.45

Car registration (maximum):30.00

Driver's license:19.00

Total:$493.70

Many renters also have to pay a deposit on their house or apartment, in addition to the first and last month's rent. That can total more than $1,000 even for moderately priced housing.

Those costs are way too much for some families, who might not have made the trek to Florida if they had found $1,500 to spare. It's not unusual for such families, who come here full of hope and ambition, to end up sleeping in their cars.

Many people need a place to stay while they look for jobs and then start earning the money required to get themselves and their families established.

Is there a need for the proposed shelter for the homeless in the Orlando area? You can depend on it.